“Diana: In Her Own Words,” “Jane,” “Genius,” “Mosul” Among Grand Winners At NY Festivals Awards

A scene from Brett Morgen's documentary "Jane," which won a Grand Award at the New York Festivals International Television & Film Awards (photo courtesy of National Geographic)

NEW YORK

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New York Festivals® International Television & Film Awards announced the 2018 award-winners on Tuesday (4/10) at the annual NAB Show in Las Vegas. This ceremony honored the World’s Best TV & Films and celebrated blockbuster entertainment from 40 countries around the globe.

The New York Festivals TV & Film Awards Grand Jury, a panel of prominent international broadcast and film industry executives, awarded trophies to content creators across all platforms and in all genres. For 2018, 177 Gold World Medals, 169 Silver World Medals and 173 Bronze World Medals were awarded.

New York Festivals TV & Film Awards Grand Jury honored five distinguished entries with the prestigious Grand Award:

“Diana: In Her Own Words” (1895 Films) The award-winning documentary uses archival footage, audio, and photos—including audio tapes made by Diana herself for the use of her biographer, Andrew Morton.

“Mosul” (Frontline PBS /C4/ Mongoose Pictures), the story of an elite team of Iraqi Special Forces who defeated the Islamic State in their heartland.

“Yamazaki Moments” From Dentsu Inc., this digital movie provides the experience of a tour of the Suntory Yamazaki Distillery, renowned for its world-class single malt whisky.

“Jane” (National Geographic) with a score by composer Philip Glass. Director Brett Morgen tells the story of Jane Goodall. one of the world’s most admired conservationists whose chimpanzee research challenged the male-dominated scientific consensus of her time.

“Genius,” National Geographic’s first scripted anthology series with a first episode directed by Ron Howard and an all-star cast including Geoffrey Rush (as Albert Einstein) and Emily Watson.

For the second consecutive year, Al Jazeera English’s news analysis and investigative programming earned the network the coveted title of Broadcaster of the Year. The network’s award-winning entries explored a variety of global topics and garnered an impressive number of medals. Among their Gold Medalist winners: “The Boy Who Started the Syrian War” “Witness - Racing in Cocaine Valley,” “101 East Duterte: A President’s Report Card” and “Al Jazeera Correspondent - The Cut: Exploring FGM.”

For the 12th year running, The Edge Picture Company UK earned the title of Production Company of the Year. The production company was in the winner’s circle taking home an impressive number of Gold Silver and Bronze medals. Among the Gold World Medals awarded: “Rethinking Risk,” “Dear Qatar,” and “Safety First.” Silver World Medals include: “Dear Qatar,” “We All Have to Eat,” “Innovation,” and “How We Use Social Media.”

Moviestar+ Spain was recognized with the 2018 Program Promotion Team of the Year Award. Gold winning promos from the network include: “Game of Thrones,” “The Plague” and “Eurofighters.”

Greg MacGillivray, chairman/director of MacGillivray Freeman Films was recognized with the 2018 New York Festivals® Lifetime Achievement Award. Throughout his illustrious career he has personally shot more 70mm film than anyone in cinema history. He has created 5 of the top 10 highest-grossing IMAX films of all time and with 360 theaters worldwide showing his films in 2003 he became the first documentary filmmaker to reach the $1 billion benchmark in worldwide ticket sales.

Each year, New York Festivals, in collaboration with the United Nations Department of Public Information, selects entries that exemplify the aims and ideas of the United Nations and honors them with the United Nations Department of Public Information (UNDPI) awards. 2018 UNDPI winners include: “Living in the Future’s Past” (Cinepartners LLC), produced by Academy Award winner Jeff Bridges, earned the Gold UNDPI Award; “Water of Life and Death” (Xebec Media Ltd) earned the Silver Award; and “Brazilian Mechanic Lights up the World with Powerful Invention” (CGTN America) received the Bronze UNDPI Award.